Assoc Pharmacy Buyer

Company: Children's Minnesota
Location: Minneapolis
Posted on: March 26, 2025

Job Description:

About Children's Minnesota

Children's Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's Minnesota is one system serving kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, nine primary care clinics, multiple specialty clinics and seven rehabilitation sites. As The Kids Experts™ in our region, Children's Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital. Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org .

Children's Minnesota is proud to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2023's Top Diversity Leaders. The national honor recognizes the top diverse healthcare executives and organizations influencing public policy, care delivery, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations and the industry.

Department Overview

The pharmacy department at Children's Minnesota is staffed by registered pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians with specialized training in pediatric pharmacy. Our inpatient pharmacists perform daily rounds with providers and are essential partners in providing state-of-the-art pediatric comprehensive medication management services, pharmacy automation, IV production and compounding services. Children's pharmacists provide medication education, consultation and specialized drug information services, as well as participating in educational and outreach programs. We provide 24-hour inpatient operations services along with 16-hour decentral pharmacist coverage. Our inpatient decentral team includes trained subspecialists in neonatal, pediatric and cardiovascular critical care, including cardiac transplant, pediatric medicine, oncology, neuroscience, emergency medicine (including Level I trauma services) and research. Our pharmacists are also essential partners in the ambulatory setting, providing pediatric pharmacy services for home infusion, retail pharmacy, oncology clinic/infusion center and hemophilia treatment center, as well as medication therapy management (MTM) within our primary and specialty care clinics. We are committed to training the next generation of pediatric pharmacy professionals through mentoring of pharmacy students and post-doctoral training in our robust residency program, which includes post-graduate year one (PGY1) and two (PGY2) residencies in pediatrics and pharmacogenomics. We value teamwork, open communication, safety and respect. We embrace an environment that encourages learning and professional growth. Our team is committed to providing excellent care to our patients and families.

Position Summary

The pharmacy associate buyer is responsible for receiving and managing inventory of medications and related supplies within the inpatient pharmacy and after-hours outpatient pharmacy (as applicable).

*Receive and manage medication inventory, including controlled substances
*Ensure medications are stored in a manner that maintains product integrity
*Serve as back-up pharmacy buyer/procurement of medical supplies and medications, including controlled substances
*Train new staff members on inventory management system and processes and maintain up to date materials
*Manage medication returns and recalls, including required documentation
*Coordinate internally with other departments including supply chain, specialty clinics, employee health services, etc.
*Establish and maintain external relationships with wholesalers, drug manufacturers, and group purchasing organization staff
*Analyze medication cost savings opportunities and present recommendations to pharmacy leadership
*Perform monthly financial reporting, including system cost-transfer billing
*Maintain cycle counts and medication outdates
*Manage new product build requests with Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and Pharmacy ITS for implementation
*Manage drug shortages and educate staff on impacts/changes to operational practice

License/Certification/Registration:
*Active pharmacy technician registration with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy required. If registered after 2013, must also be a graduate of a pharmacy technician training program or complete 240 hours of on-site training.
*Certified as a pharmacy technician (CPhT) by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or complete within twelve months of hire.

Education:
*High school diploma or equivalent required

Experience:
*One year of pharmacy technician experience or equivalent required
*One year of health-system/hospital pharmacy experience preferred
*One year of inventory management or purchasing experience preferred
*Experience with pharmacy inventory management software and/or analytics preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
*Knowledge and understanding of medication needs in health-system pharmacy
*Skills in medication and supplies procurement
*Knowledge of pharmacy wholesaler purchasing systems
*Understanding of supply chain and the hospital/clinic pharmacy system
*Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
*Organizational skills
*Communication skills demonstrating accurate and effective interpretation and response to customer needs, and ability to communicate pertinent updates/work progress and potential impact to team members and manager
*Ability to effectively work in a team-based environment using teamwork and collaboration skills within the department and organization
*Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to resolve inventory and supply issues
*Time management skills including ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
*Ability to work independently to complete inventory management and project assignments
*Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Physical Demands

Please click here to view the Physical Demands

The posted salary represents a market competitive range based on salary survey benchmark data for similar roles in the local or national market. When determining individual pay rates, we carefully consider a wide range of factors including but not limited to market indicators for the specific role, the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate, internal equity and organizational needs.

In addition to your salary, this position may be eligible for medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other fringe benefits. Positions that require night, weekend or on-call work may be eligible for shift differentials or premium pay.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of an occupational health assessment, drug screen, background investigation, and compliance with the U.S. Government Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

Children's Minnesota is proud to be an equal opportunity employer whose staff is representative of its community and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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